More Than A Pretty Face - 9 (Thorin Oakenshield/Reader)
IMAGINE MEETING WITH THORIN OAKENSHIELD BEFORE GANDALF AND SHARING A VISION WITH HIM OF WHAT COULD COME TO PASS…
Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven Part Eight
How a simple motion could set a person into action. Thorin felt his first step forward when your knees hit the ground, and his voice came crying out as locks of your hair fell to the planks, “Wait!”
Your eyes looked up meeting his causing his heart to ache when he saw them lined with tears. The cruel goblin had not cut much away but the damage was done. It took everything to pull his eyes away from yours and look to the king.
“Oh…” The great goblin leaned forward looking at him, “Thorin…son Thrain…son of Thror, king under the mountain.”
He felt his jaw clench at his next words, “Oh wait…you don’t have a mountain and you’re not a king, which makes you nobody really.”
“Let her go.” Thorin spoke quickly, “If you would see harm come to anyone here, let it be to me.”
He heard his men behind him disagree, stepping forward themselves to take his place. Never did the dwarf king take his eyes off the large goblin who only began to chuckle, “Why would I do that? I will get to you when it’s your turn. You see…I know someone who’s been looking for you, well, not necessarily all of you. Just your head.”
Thorin’s eyes glanced to you as they pulled your arms back further causing another cry to escape your mouth. His eyes were drawn back to the king when he spoke, “Perhaps you know of whom I speak…An old enemy of yours. A pale orc, astride a white warg.”
He swallowed down the instant knot in his throat, “Azog the Defiler was destroyed…He was slain in battle long ago!”
“So, you think his defiling days are done, do you?” The goblin king laughed before turning to a small pathetic goblin on a swing, “Send word to the defiler, tell him I have found his prize.”
“Until then…” The king turned back to Thorin, “I can see you care for this one. This disgusting specimen…let me see her again.”
Thorin made a move to help you and two large goblins pounced on him. He watched as you were forced to your feet to face the king. Your fists clenched as you looked up to him. He reached out to touch you making Thorin jerk against his captures, “You are not a dwarf…but you will die among them.”
You winced away at his oily touch. Your voice was only a whisper as you spoke, “I will not die here today…you, however…would you like to know how you die?”
“No one would dare.” The goblin took his hand back spitting down at you, “No one would try.”
“A sword…from the most unlikely of creatures…” Your voice was louder, so all could hear, “…you do not scare me vile thing…”
The king growled leaning down close to your face, “You will live regret that. Finish her make over boys…cause her great shame.”
“No!” Thorin growled pulling trying to break free as threw you to ground again. The goblin who had cut your hair before moved to the pile of weapons taken from them. He reached down pulling up Thorin’s blade.
Everyone watched him recoil when he began to unsheathe it. It scurried backwards as the king him self recoiled, “I know that sword! It is the goblin cleaver! The blade that sliced a thousand necks!”
Immediately the group was pounced upon as the king shouted for their heads. Thorin the ground his head thunking against the wood planks. He cried out pushing the goblins away as much as he could.
“Cut off his head!” He heard over the shrieks that towered over him. His arms were pinned down as a goblin towered over him a jagged knife raised above it’s head.
“Thorin!” He heard you but could not see you through the mass of goblin bodies piling around him. He braced himself for the knife that was about to impale him.
Just as the hideous creature moved to do so a great wave of energy passed through the cave sending goblins flying. Thorin swallowed down his racing thoughts feeling his arms free again. He rolled over to go help you as a grey wizard began to speak, “Take up arms…”
“Y/N…” He reached down pulling you up. He saw your jaw clenched and eyes focused. He understood, now was not the time for concern, but survival.
“Fight…” Gandalf drew his sword as the company began grabbing their weapons and gear, “Fight!”
Thorin was quickly tossed Orcist as goblins began to try and over take him. He slashed them down putting himself between you and them, “Stay behind me!”
“Y/N!” You turned putting your back up against Thorin’s as Dwalin tossed you your pack. You grabbed it quickly putting your attached bow around yourself securing it before dropping the bag pulling out the sword.
Thorin glanced back at you holding it out in front of yourself. He’d only ever seen you use a bow, “You know how to use that?”
“We’re about to find out.” You let out a cry as you swung low take out a goblins legs. Thorin went over your head seizing the opportunity to behead a few others.
He’d never been in combat with someone who’s movements were so fluid. Yes, dwarven units moved together and kept a formation together. But fighting alongside you was like an extension of himself. You finished each other’s attacks, stepped in when the other countered. It was exhilarating and intimate.
You ran next to him looking ahead, “We’re running out of bridge!”
“Do you trust me!?” He shouted above the echoing shrieks. He saw your eyes widen thoughts racing through them before you nodded. Running still, he put his sword arm around you.
You looked forward seeing a rotted piece of rope hanging out from the bridge. You tensed shaking your head, “No…”
“Yes!” He jumped half dragging you with him as he reached out grabbing onto the rope. It swung forward before breaking under the strain. He felt you grab onto him tightly as it finally snapped sending them falling forward into a roll.
You were quickly back on your feet hoisting him up seeing the rest of the company hurtling toward them. Gandalf in the lead he shouted, “Move!”
Thorin nodded pushing you forward as the rest of the group crowded around them. The twist and turns became confusing as the run continued. Finally every skidded to a halt behind the grey wizard who stood before great goblin.
“What are you going to do now, wizard?” The goblin king spoke confidently.
Thorin made a move to help the old man, but you pulled onto his coat making him stop. He watched the wizard stab the goblin before cutting his throat. He was surprised that Gandalf was capable of such an action, but he did not have time to ponder on it long as the piece of bridge gave out from under them.
Everyone cried out as the bridge tumbled and fell through the chasm. Thorin grunted as you slipped through his grasp when landing against the side. You looked up at him wide eyed reaching up feeling a strong hand clasp yours.
Thorin breathed easily as Dwalin pulled you next to him as the bridge began to slow down between two walls. Everyone began to move slowly off the bridge, and Gandalf helped you down as Bofur spoke, “Well that could’ve been worse.”
You jumped as the body of the goblin king landed on them causing them to cry out. Dwalin who was just about to roll of the pile groaned, “Oh, you’ve got to be joking…”
Fili and Kili ran up beside you. As Fili began asking if you were alright Kili looked above them at the approaching horde, “…there’s too many of them!”
“Run!” Gandalf shouted as they all began to run again.
Thorin noticed you cringe holding your side as you took off next to him, “Will you make it?”
“I have to, if I want to live.” You told him breathing heavily. You felt him put his arm around you, “Thorin, I will slow you down.”
“I will not leave you behind.” He told you firmly as he helped you keep up.
Everything after exiting the mountain was a firey blur. He felt fear and anger and he let it cloud is judgement. He sat along the ridge where the eagles had left them staring off at the Lonely Mountain. It was a beautiful sight, but he could not enjoy it like he wanted to.
He looked up at his nephews taking a seat on either side of him. He smiled a little as they stared off into the distance, “Soon you will both look upon the halls of your father and see it’s wonder.”
“We will together, uncle.” Kili looked at him with a smile, “You are feeling well?”
“Well enough.” Thorin sighed looking down at his hands, “It will not stop me from our travel, but I know of a city not far from here. We’ll go there. I’ll get some work and the rest may find some rest.”
“Uncle, you fair worst then the rest of us…we will pull our weight.” Fili told him confidently worry for his uncle’s wellbeing racing through his eyes.
Thorin looked him nodding, “We will breach the topic when the time comes.”
The three fell silent staring off into the distance as the sun began to reach it’s afternoon high. Finally, Thorin glanced back at the group assessing their situation. Everyone had their things spread out, while Bombur began to cook them something. His eyes narrowed when he couldn’t find you, “Boys, where is our lady companion?”
Fili looked at him frowning, “She went down to the river below some time ago…”
“Alone?” Thorin looked at him concerned.
“Yes.” Kili got his attention, “None of us had the heart to follow her. She looked very…sad…”
Thorin swung his legs up from the ledge and began to walk toward the path leading down, “Uncle!”
He turned as Fili ran up to him, “Uncle we were all there…we all know…”
“Fili, speak your mind.” Thorin frowned watching his oldest nephew struggle to find words.
“I just…worry that we will all say something wrong. Something to offend her and scare her away.” Fili looked him in the eyes, “And for some reason, I think she needs to be here with us. So, please, be delicate. She is…fine glass amongst hammers.”
Thorin smiled at his nephew before putting his hands on his shoulders, “I appreciate your concern for her. I too worry that we will be too brash and scare her away, but I assure you that I have every intention to treat her like the finest of jewels. Gently.”
Fili smiled a little as he nodded, “Good…I like her, uncle, and I am glad that you like her as well.”
Thorin’s eyes lit up surprised, “I…”
“You don’t have to say anything.” Fili told him quietly, “I saw the way you looked at her at Rivendell when she walked down those stairs…and how you reacted in front of that beast back there. We all did.”
Thorin took a deep breath in holding it for a moment before he spoke, “And…what does every think?”
Fili’s eyes lit up as he smiled, “Uncle…your happiness is our happiness.”
“That did not answer the question…” Thorin whispered to him as he began to step away from his uncle, “Fili…”
His nephew stopped looking at him, “You have nothing to fear. She is a beauty and a wonder that we all respect.”
Thorin watched him rejoin his brother flicking him in the ear to get a rise out of him. He chuckled as they swatted at one another before he turned heading down the path. The river was insight just around the corner and he could just begin to make out a form he assumed was you near it.
He didn’t know what he was going to say to you. You’d done so much for the entire company in the last day and saved him countless times with the goblins. He knew he needed to say something…he knew he needed to say many things.
He came up behind you kneeling at the calm river looking down at your reflection. You were touching the loose locks that hung from the rest of your hair. His heart hurt seeing how deeply this pained you, “I am so sorry…”
You jumped looking at him. You let out a sigh putting a hand over your heart, “You scared the life out of me…”
“I am sorry for that too.” He took a few more steps toward you as you stood up.
“For the later, I forgive. For the former…I don’t know what you are referring to.” You told him brushing your hair behind your ear. A foreign movement to you.
“I’ve put you in so much danger…” He took another step closer to you making you look up to his face, “I have put you in a position that-that made you lose a great deal…and hurt you.”
You looked down the hair slipping back out from behind your ear, “You did not do anything. I put myself next to you and your company. What has happened, happened because I chose it. You did not put the knife to my throat.”
“But I should have been in your place.” He told you firmly.
“No.” You shook your head, “If you had been there, you would be dead. That is not something that can happen. Besides…it is hair…it will grow again.”
He watched you frustrated, push the hair behind your ear. He swallowed before licking his lips, “I could help you…braid your hair.”
You looked to him again surprise written on your face. You flushed as you spoke, “I couldn’t let you…I know that means you care deeply for someone.”
“It does.” His heart skipped as your eyes met with his. He reached up slowly letting his fingers grasp the loose bits of your hair.
Your face flushed more as your gaze never left his, and you spoke at a whisper, “I am not dwarf.”
His head tilted a little, “Does that matter to you?”
“No…I just…” You looked down for a moment, “I thought…”
“It does not matter to me.” He whispered his fingers still playing with your hair.
You stared at him the sound over the river all that greeted them. You spoked finally when the silence became too much, “What will this mean? I know it’s…important…but what are the...promises, if you do this…”
You were being careful with your heart. He could understand. You were not a young person who would throw their heart out carelessly. He took a deep breath in before he spoke letting his hand drop to his side, “The braid would mean that I am courting you…with the intention of proposing.”
“Thorin, we barely know one another…” You stepped away from him at the word propose looking away.
He could see this fear well up in you and it concerned him, “Yet you do feel it. This ease…this connection. I know I love you.”
Your eyes snapped to his face as he went on softly, “I love you…I know it seems…foolish. I know. The idea is frightening, but there is this old belief within our society that there is one soul out there in the world that we connect to, our One.”
“And you believe that, I, am your ‘One’?” You swallowed staring at him as he nodded slowly, “And you intend to propose.”
“Truthfully, I would do it now…but I know it is not a normal pace.” He told you feeling his nerves begin to boil, “I do not mean to make this rush…but I cannot keep my feelings for you hidden any longer after seeing how close we all came to death this past day.”
You looked away for third time now staring at the river. You smiled shaking your head a little as you spoke softly, “Tho a'o llha' ha'rcs iya'aum hooam llarr fao nnaghriy.”
He’d never heard you speak such a language before, “…what does that mean?”
“Hm…” You turned back to him letting your arms fall to your sides, “it’s something my father said to me a long time ago…all you need to know is…I will allow you to court me, but I cannot accept a proposal…it will take time.”
His heart swelled at the simple fact that you did not reject him, that you didn’t deny that there was something between the two of you. He smiled offer his hand to you, “I can accept that, as I do understand.”
You slid you hand into his feeling warmth spread through you instantly, “So…how does this…work?”
He guided you over to a nearby rock releasing your hand to take off his coat laying it on the ground for you, “It’s very simple…please sit…and relax.”
“Relax?” You tilted your head a little confused.
“That is the idea.” He took a seat offering his hand to you again helping you down between his legs, “The idea of this custom is to spend time with one another. Braiding can take a long time.”
“Do we have the time?” You glanced back at him concerned.
“I will make the time, do not worry, kurdel.” He smiled at you again putting you at ease as he began to undo the ribbons in your hair.
After a moment you spoke slowly, “That word…kurdel…it’s an affectionate term?”
“Yes.” He nodded placing a ribbon on his knee gently. He knew they were important, “It means heart of hearts…my heart.”
He watched the tips of your ears redden, “I see.”
“Does it embarrass you to be referred to as such?” He asked pulling out another ribbon.
You sighed shaking your head a little, “It’s not embarrassment it’s…unusal. I’m used to just being a traveler, a guest, a friend…it’s been a long time since I’ve been a homashoc a'o.”
He chuckled a little seeing you smirk a little, “I assume that is an endearment?”
“You’re not the only one who can speak something other than common.” You told him playfully, “Yes it means one who’s to be cherished.”
“Can you say it again?” He asked you quietly.
You swallowed speaking slowly, “Homashoc a’o.”
“Homa…” He found the language soft compared to Khuzdul.
“-ashoc…” You turned your head as he repeated you, “a’o…”
“…a’o…” He nodded a little as you blushed, “I wish cherish you, every single day.”
You turned your head back so he could continue undoing the mess you always made when you put your hair up. You had no response for him. How could you? You known him a few weeks and that was it.
You brought from your thoughts from a quick sharp pain that came from your head, “Ah…”
“I am sorry…” He sighed trying to be gentle.
“This is not uncommon.” You told him with a huff, “I am not the best at keeping my hair maintained on the road, and we did travel through snow and a storm and goblins…do what you must, you will not hurt me.”
Several yelps later you wild main was free from ribbons. Your hair was not actually wild he began to find as he combed his fingers through it. He smiled as you sighed slowly relaxing as he began working the braids through out your hair. The goblin had only managed to cut the front portion of the left side. Enough that it was a nuisance to you, but braided it was rather delightful to look at.
It took a while to finish but once he was satisfied he put his hands on the sides of your arms. You jumped just slightly as you had fallen back against the rock between his legs watching the river, “It’s finished…”
You looked back at him, “Already?”
“Did you imagine it would take all night?” He chuckled a little as you moved over to the river. He watched as you stared down into the reflection seeing the braid fall over your right shoulder neatly. He smiled when you touched a smile coming to your lips.
As you turned your head as small gasp came as you saw the ribbons woven in on the left side giving you the length you lost back and allowed him to make a colorful design through the braid, “Thorin…”
“I know they mean to you…” He stepped over to you, “It’s the one thing that is from your father and mother…It would be wrong of me to keep that from you.”
You turned to him tears at that corners of our eyes, “Thank you…it’s beautiful…all of it.”
He nodded putting his hand to your cheek gently brushing an escaping tear away, “I should be thanking you for the honor.”
“We will have to talk about customs more.” You sniffed wiping a hand over your face. He could tell that this moment was affecting you in more way then one, “I feel there is a gap that we should connect.”
“Y/N…” You paused as you moved away. He looked at you with concern, “This is more than ribbons in your hair, isn’t it?”
You looked away feeling surprised. You could feel his concern for you. You always did. You felt everything when you were around him. Perhaps they weren’t meant to hide anything from each other, if they really were destined for each other. You swallowed and nodded, “Yes…”
“What is it?” His brow came together as he offered his hands to you. Something you didn’t expect. You had always been used of people just taking their affection. He offered it, but never expected it in return.
You turned to him putting your hands in his slowly again feeling the warmth spread up your arms, “I…am not used to feeling…pretty and this gift you given me tonight in the form of braid of all things…it’s wonderful. I know it’s silly…”
“It’s not silly.” You looked into his eyes not seeing someone who found the confession trivial. You teared up more as you stared up into his eyes. You looked down shaking your head, “Amrâlimê…”
“It’s too much…too soon…” You whispered feeling him step away his hands linger on yours, “I’m sorry Thorin…I’ve been hurt to deeply for you to be so kind so fast…”
His heart stung as he stood there holding your hands a world between them as you looked up showing your tear stained cheeks, “Y/N…I will work everyday to prove to you that I love you. That I have no intention of hurting you. You have nothing to fear from me. I am not that person who hurt you.”
You nodded slowly looking at him his eyes full of sincerity and conviction. This was a man you could love, for when you looked into his eyes you felt home. You were only scared that it would be taken from you again like it had so many times before. You couldn’t risk your heart unless you were sure he’d stay.
He smiled giving your hands a soft squeeze, “We should go back to camp. I’m sure supper is ready.”
You nodded instantly feeling the absence when he let go of your hands and moved to pick up his coat. Your eyes followed him watching him a moment before you spoke, “I do feel something…it is there…you should know.”
He looked at him hope glimmering in his eyes as he smiled, “I never doubted it amrâlimê…”
You sniffed as you stepped with him toward the path, “Are you going to tell me what that means?”
“I’m going to let you figure that one out.” He smiled helping you up the ridge, “I’m sure it won’t take you long.”
The walk up the slope was quiet. The pair simply enjoying the presence of each other. Stealing soft glances when accidently, or not, bumping each other’s hands stealing moments of touch.
Thorin watched the company look up as the pair walked into the camp seeing smiles, approving looks and what he could only describe as pride as their new queen walked beside him. Well, potential queen.
Dwalin who’s face was blank stood up walking toward the pair. He stopped in front of you looking over to Thorin before his eyes went back to you again, “My lady, you have arm no matter the request, I will always be at your service.”
You watched him put a hand to his chest and bow, “I…I…thank you, Dwalin.”
Soon the rest of the company was standing behind him all a hand to their chest bowing low. Thorin smiled proudly before moving next to Dwalin putting his hand over his heart looking you in the eye as he bowed as well, “May we serve you well, amrâlimê.”
The moment was over just like that. You stepped up to Thorin whispering, “You said of that…”
“As you said, we should discuss customs…” He smirked a little seeing distress, “Fret not…they anticipate you becoming queen…I will let them all know you have not accepted such a role and to treat you no differently. It will be hard for some, but you will be no worse for wear.”
“All this over a braid…” You sighed walking with him over to fire smirking a little at him.
He was about to give some sass but Fili and Kili jumped up at once. Kili smiled at you brightly, “Does this mean we get to start calling you Auntie?”
“Uh…no…not yet.” You blushed a little.
“Kili, back off. I’m sure uncle and Y/N have things planned out in their own way and time.” Fili was also smiling, but his maturity shown through as he looked at you, “You look lovely…may I get a better look?”
“Oh, I wish you would, he did such an amazing job…look at what he did with my ribbons!” Thorin new you had no idea what it meant that you were telling everyone how wonderful of a job he did. The praise was enough to make his heart sing for days.
Balin stepped up to him as you were pulled away, “You did a fine job lad.”
“I am only half way there…” He glanced a Balin as you continued to gush over his handy work to more of the troupe, “I have yet to propose.”
“But you did tell her everything?” Balin questioned him seriously, watching his king nod slowly. Relief spread through the old dwarf’s shoulders, “Good…it will not come as a surprise then.”
“Balin…she has been hurt so badly in the past…” Thorin turned to him finally.
“Laddy…the way she praises you now…” Balin smiled brightly, “When the time comes, you will have nothing to fear.”
Thorin watched him step away going over to you to inspect the braid. He watched your smile brighten as Balin began to speak to you. Your gaze drifted to him across the fire. You smiled again, but it was different. It was for him.
He nodded to you and stood unassuming to the rest of the group, simply watching you with everyone feeling full for the first time in many years.
